December2013_SpeakOut_web

Feature

Communication Access update

Communication Access making great advances in Gippsland

C ommunication access occurs when people are respectful and responsive to individuals with communication difficulties, and when strategies and resources are used to support successful communication (Scope’s Communication Resource Centre, 2013). People with communication difficulties define communication access as “when everyone can get their message across”. Background In 2012 Scope received a community grant from Baw Baw Shire Council to improve communication access for people with communication difficulties in the Baw Baw community. The project was launched in November 2012. Project goals • To increase the community’s awareness of communication disability. • For 20 local businesses to be supported to improve services for customers who don’t use speech or have speech that is difficult to understand. • To provide a unique employment opportunity for Baw Baw residents with communication difficulties. A portion of the grant funds would be used to employ communication access assessors – all of whom have a communication difficulty.

in order to improve communication

access. This included staff training and the creation of site specific communication aids.

• Throughout

June 2013 the communication access assessors conducted communication access assessments on the participating businesses. Project outcomes • Staff from the participating businesses have a greater awareness of complex communication needs and are better able to support customers with a communication difficulty. “I am now more aware and prepared when I come into contact with people with communication difficulties” – staff member from participating business • 20 Baw Baw Shire businesses and services successfully met the minimum criteria for communication access and were awarded the Communication Access symbol. • Four individuals with a communication disability commenced open employment. Businesses awarded the Communication Access Symbol Bellfield Speech Pathology, Scope speech pathologist Anna Eglitzky with the communication boards made for Baw Baw Shire businesses.

Back, from left: Nick Hannah (Scope speech pathologist) and four communication access assessors. Front: Mel Smith (co-trainer at communication assessor training).

Bendigo Bank (Warragul), West Gippsland Arts Centre, Pacific Smiles Dental (Warragul), YMCA Warragul Leisure Centre, Warragul Cinema, The Daisy Patch, G Mobility, Fresh Juice & Sushi, Little Tea Cups Café, Bowland Warragul, Nick’s Bakehouse, Darnum General Store,

Project implementation • Fifty businesses and services selected by

The Communication Access symbol.

community members with communication difficulties were invited to participate in the project. 25 committed to the project. • Four people with communication difficulties from the Baw Baw Shire were recruited and employed as communication access assessors. They completed three days of training to prepare them for the job and then commenced working with local businesses to support them to become communication accessible. • During February and March 2013, each participating business received a pre-assessment visit from a speech pathologist and a communication access assessor. This was an opportunity to identify areas for improvement. • During April and May 2013, two Scope speech pathologists worked with the participating businesses to assist them to implement change in their services

Gregory’s Fitness Centre, Mawarra (disability support service), Neerim South Milk Bar and all four Baw Baw Shire Council offices. Where to from here? • Scope will evaluate the long-term outcomes for the businesses and community in 2014 to look at maintenance of communication access. • The importance of communication access will be further promoted in Gippsland. For further information about Communication Access, please contact the Scope’s Communication Resource Centre on 03 9843 2000 or crc@scopevic.org.au

Nick Hannah & Anna Eglitzky Speech Pathologists, Scope

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Speak Out December 2013

Speech Pathology Australia